Esata/usb combo ports
 

I’m going to buy a laptop (Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4058) that has a usb2 port right next to a esata/usb combo port. I have an external hard drive (those small portable ones) that connects through 2 usb ports (the cable attaches to the external hard drive through a single port on the hard drive and you have to attach the other end of the cable to 2 usb ports on the computer). If I plug in the usb cables into a usb2 port and esata/usb combo port (plug 1 cable into the usb2 port and the other cable into the esata/usb combo port), will it cause any problems?

Also, are there any problems associated with using an esata/usb combo port? Such as not working with some devices or causing problems with some devices? I plan to connect things like cooling pads and flash drives and printers to it.

Thanks.

I think my girlfriend's laptop has that sort of connection and hasn't run into any sort of problems yet.

The port you're referring to is called eSATAp, and it should work with all eSATA and USB devices.